New Members Only Store

Big Sky Redneck

I have always wanted to own a sporting goods store that sells guns, ammo, hunting and fishing, camping supplies and such. Today I think it would be hard to start such a place but I have an idea fo a totally politicaly incorrect store and I would love to give it a try. It would be a members only store that sells everything from sporting stuff to groceries and household items. The membership would be free and available to everyone. There will be no applications or pictures to take. Only thing you will need is a ccw or hunting license to enter. Not sure what to call it yet, need some ideas. Do y'all think it would work? Advertise it as a true 2nd ammendmet freindly store. Place a big sign saying concealed carry customers get to use the express checkout lane. This is a pipe dream and I would love to do it just so I can thumb my nose at the anti's. Imagine stopping by for a gallon of milk, loaf of bread, some buck lure, and a new '06. Then at the checkout counter you grab a new box of shotgun shells and pull out your NRA card for a discount. All cashiers will have sidearms and so will the stockboys. Nobody will be allowed in without showing proof of ccw or hunting license and firearms will be PERMITTED in the store. Imagine someone trying to rob it! Whataya think, will it work?

badboybob

I think it has a chance to work, but have you considered the start up capital requirements for such a business? I once managed an old timey hardware store that left a depressed downtown area and went urban. Our costs in addition to land and building were $10/sf for fixtures and signing, $40/sf for additional stocking and that was nearly 20 years ago. The move was succesful by the way and the store still retains some old timey traditions.My only advice is this: If you want to do it do it right and do it big. You can't get into this type of business on the cheap.That said every sporting goods store in my area has been put out of business by Walmart and Kmart.

Rembrandt

...don't forget to have a shooting range in isle 5, that way CCW holders can draw and take a few shots at some interactive targets.....need a Norman Rockwell or Terry Redlin flavor to the inside, wild game mounts, a pot bellied stove for shoppers to mill around and tell big stories....Let me know when the grand opening is, I'll be first in line to contribute...

reb8600

A store like that could compete with walmart and Kmart. There is a store in my area across the street from walmart called sportsmans warehouse and it does quite well from what I can see (it gets plenty of my money). Just make sure you deal in fishing, camping and other outdoor goods.

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Guncontrol-The ability to hit what your aiming at.

Big Sky Redneck

Reb, I got the idea of it being a mini Wallmart or Sammy's club. I want to stock alot of different items but the focus being all aspects of sporting goods from hunting to rollerblading. I know it would be expensive to start but it right now is a dream. Y'all don't know how bad I want to rock the boat and I want to make a BIG statement with it. Just imagine the TV ads for it and the reactions it would get,good or bad. If it worked can you imagine the possibilities. Indoor shooting range would be great, use pictures of minivans fighting for parking spaces for targets! And it would even have truck parking!! Picture one isle with groceries and the next with reloading equipment or the new gun rack next to the icecream cooler, instead of tabloids in the checkout lane we would have ammo. What a dream, if I hit the powerball I'll do it big, until then, think small.

Iconoclast

7mm, I've toyed w/ a somewhat similar idea of a sportsman's cooperative several times, ordering or stocking reloading supplies & high quality goods. With their buying power, Wal-Mart can undersell virtually anyone and still make a profit on promotional ammo, entry-level long arms, basic or low end fishing & camping gear, etc. A range on the premises is a plus.